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db-VCR Shareware Video Cassette Database System by: Michael R. Guffey System and Documentation Copyright (C) 1989 Michael R. Guffey All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 675124 Marietta, Ga. 30067 USA This program is provided as is without any warranties expressed or implied. The Author of the program assumes no responsibility for misuse of this system or its parts. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 1 Table of Contents Item Page ================================================================ Introduction............................................... 2 General Description........................................ 2 Registration & Evaluation Period........................... 2 Installation............................................... 3 Files used with the db-VCR system....................... 3 Config.sys File Requirements............................ 3 Hard disk installation.................................. 4 Floppy disk installation................................ 4 Loading the db-VCR system.................................. 5 Using the db-VCR system.................................... 7 Context Sensitive On-line Help system................... 8 Viewing an entry........................................ 8 Adding an entry......................................... 8 Editing an entry........................................ 9 Deleting an entry....................................... 9 Listing entries......................................... 10 Printing entries........................................ 11 Searching entries....................................... 11 Re-Indexing Database.................................... 12 Quit to DOS............................................. 12 Information Window...................................... 13 Mouse Support........................................... 13 Other Features of db-VCR................................... 15 F3 Remember Key......................................... 15 Custom Defined Entry Types.............................. 15 Error Handling System................................... 16 Upgrading to Higher Versions............................ 16 Conclusion................................................. 16 Copyright Notices.......................................... 16 db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 2 INTRODUCTION Have you ever found yourself searching thru a zillion video tapes to figure out which tape has let's say 'Top Gun' on it. And when you find it, you have to fast forward or rewind for about 10 or so minutes to find out where it starts on the tape? Well here is the answer you've been waiting for. A Shareware Video Cassette Database system to keep track of all those tapes whether they are movies, instructional videos or music, etc. Just load the db-VCR system, input your VCR tape info. and now your entire video tape collection can be available to you at the touch of a few keys on your keyboard. (or a few clicks with your mouse!) Happy VCR'ing GENERAL DESCRIPTION db-VCR is a Video Cassette Database system for use with your IBM or compatible personal computer. db-VCR will allow you to maintain a database of all your VCR tapes with titles, comments, where each entry starts on each tape, starring actor and actress names, plus plenty more. db-VCR is fully menu-driven with powerful database features, which rival those of more expensive commercial systems. Whether your VCR uses VHS or BETA tapes, db-VCR will handle all of your VCR tape collection information. REGISTRATION AND EVALUATION PERIOD db-VCR is widely available today on many of the most popular electronic Bulletin Boards as well as via Shareware distribution companies. db-VCR is currently available in over 25 countries and has become known as one of the most featured packed systems of its kind. You, as a user are allowed to make unlimited copies of db-VCR and are encouraged to pass along copies of NON-REGISTERED versions of the system to all your friends and colleagues. All rights with respect to distribution, sale and modification of db-VCR reside with Michael R. Guffey, the author and developer of the system. New users may try out the db-VCR system for an evaluation period of 30 days without having the need to register db-VCR. However, after the evaluation period if you decide to continue using the db-VCR system you must register by sending a check or money order for $17.95 US (Foreign orders must add an extra $2.00) and a completed registration form to me at the address provided. A registration file named REGISTER.ME should accompany your system. If the REGISTER.ME file is not available then please send a form containing your name, address, phone, type of computer, version of db-VCR, type of disk needed, along with $17.95 US to me to act as your registration. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 3 Shareware is a strong systematic approach to providing quality software to users at low prices. Whenever you receive any shareware program that you feel is worth while and you wish to use, please register your version with the author. Your registration and support will help keep the shareware concept alive and the market filled with quality software. INSTALLATION db-VCR is designed for IBM and compatible computers and operates under PC or MS DOS Version 2.0 or higher with atleast 1 floppy drive or a hard disk drive. db-VCR requires atleast 320K RAM (depending on your version of DOS). db-VCR can be run with or without a color monitor (Color is supported favorably!) and does not require a graphics card for full use. There is no limitation to the size of your db-VCR database except that you have a large enough disk to handle all of your entries. Presently db-VCR is only available as a single user system. The system however, can be used in a networking environment if configured as a single user application. If you have any questions regarding the use of db-VCR in a networking environment, please contact me for information. Files used and/or created with db-VCR: -------------------------------------- db-VCR.EXE - the main program db-VCR.DOC - documentation file you are reading db-VCR.HLP - Online db-VCR help database * db-VCR.SYS - db-VCR system file * MOVIE.DAT - db-VCR database file (dbase compatible!) * MOVIE.D1X - db-VCR database index file * MOVIE.D2X - db-VCR database index file REGISTER.ME - registration form for registering your copy READ.ME - list of db-VCR version information * these files will be created if not found. CONFIG.SYS File Requirements ---------------------------- Whether db-VCR is installed on a hard disk drive or a floppy based system, DOS must be told to make room for open file handles. If this is not done, an error message will occur stating that db-VCR cannot open enough files and db-VCR will not load. To fix this problem make sure you have a config.sys file located in the root directory of your DOS boot disk containing this line: FILES=10 This is a minimum requirement, you may allow FILES = to be any number greater than 10. If you are making this change to your config.sys file, make sure and reboot your computer after making this change so that the new configuration will be in effect. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 4 HARD DISK INSTALLATION ---------------------- If you are using a computer with a hard disk then copy all the db-VCR files to a sub-directory on your hard disk with the DOS Copy command. For example: To install db-VCR in the C:\VCR sub-directory 1) Put your db-VCR disk into drive A: 2) Type A: (and hit enter key) 3) Type Copy *.* C:\VCR (and hit enter key) 4) Remove db-VCR disk from drive A: and store in a safe place. 5) You may now run db-VCR from your hard drive ** NOTE: Refer to your DOS Manual for instructions on creating sub-directory names on your hard disk. FLOPPY DISK INSTALLATION ------------------------ If you are using a computer with only floppy disks, then make a working copy of your db-VCR system by using the DOS Copy command or (DISKCOPY) command and use your working copy to run the db-VCR system. For example: To make a working copy of your db-VCR system 1) Put your db-VCR disk into drive A: 2) Put a blank formatted disk into drive B: 3) Type A: (and hit enter key) 4) Type Copy *.* B: (and hit enter key) 5) Remove your db-VCR disk from drive A: and store in a safe place 6) Use your working copy of db-VCR ** NOTE: If using the DOS DISKCOPY command to make a working copy refer to your DOS User Manual for instructions on how to properly use the command. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 5 LOADING THE DB-VCR SYSTEM After installing the db-VCR system onto your computer, the procedure for loading the system is quite simple. For a quick start, simply type in db-VCR and press the enter key. db-VCR will load with the default values of Color ON (if you have a color monitor) and Sound Effects ON. However, because of the many different types of computers available today, db-VCR has many different parameter options available for telling it exactly how to load. An explanation of the parameters are listed below: db-VCR /B /S /F /C /DRIVE=D: /B Load db-VCR Without Color (Black & White mode) /S Load db-VCR Without Sound Effects /F Load db-VCR and try to Eliminate Flicker (snow) Flicker occurs on some monochrome monitors with a CGA (Color Graphics Adaptor card), which produces some undesired results. The older models of AT&T 6300 computers will do this as well. If your monitor produces flicker when running db-VCR try loading it again with the /F parameter. /C Load db-VCR with more IBM Compatible Screen Writing db-VCR is designed to work fast on all computers, however some monitors do not clear the screen properly and are not considered true 100% IBM compatible. Use this /C parameter if your monitor does not clear the screens properly (screens will be a tad bit slower). /DRIVE=D: Use a db-VCR Data Disk on a Different Drive Since db-VCR is a rather large system, there is only a limited amount of room available for your VCR entries on a disk. If you wish to load db-VCR from 1 disk and access the database on a different data disk then use this parameter and substitute your drive letter for the D. This option is excellent for allowing you to use your database on a RAM disk drive. (just make sure to copy the info back to a regular disk after use...RAM disk contents are lost after turning off computer power) db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 6 You can use as many as these parameters as needed, just remember to separate each parameter by a space. Some examples below: 1) Load db-VCR in Black & White and Without Sound Effects: db-VCR /B /S (press enter key) 2) Load db-VCR in Black & White and Eliminate Flicker db-VCR /B /F (press enter key) 3) Load db-VCR using a data disk in drive B: db-VCR /DRIVE=B: (press enter key) 4) See all available parameter options for db-VCR db-VCR ? (press enter key) db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 7 USING THE DB-VCR SYSTEM After loading the db-VCR system, you will immediately see that it is quite easy to get accustomed to. The entire system is fully menu-driven and provides full context sensitive on-line help for all of its functions. The Main Menu of db-VCR will allow you to choose between several different options depending on what you wish to do while running db-VCR. These options are: Main Menu --------------- View an entry Add an entry Edit an entry Delete an entry Search entries List entries Print entries Re-Index database Quit to DOS To choose which option to use, you must first highlight an option using your cursor pad keys. These keys are up/down arrows, PgUp/PgDn keys, Home key, End key, etc. You may also select to use the spacebar to move the highlight bar up and down through the Menu or press the off-colored letter of the option you wish to perform. If ESC is pressed then db-VCR assumes you are ready to Quit and it will automatically highlight the Quit Option. To highlight an option, use one of the above mentioned keys until the option you wish to perform is highlighted on the menu. Once the option you wish to execute is highlighted, press the Enter Key to execute that option. You may also use a mouse, for selection of menu items. Move your mouse up and down to highlight options and click the left button to execute options. See the Mouse Support Section for more information. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 8 Context Sensitive On-Line Help System ------------------------------------- Context Sensitive Help means simply that if you are working on a particular item in a system and ask for help, you will get help on that particular item. db-VCR is packed with plenty of On-Line Help, all you have to do is press the F1 function key (or press both left and right mouse buttons at the same time). For the On-Line help system to be active db-VCR must be able to locate the db-VCR.HLP file when loading up. It is wise to keep all of your db-VCR system files in the same place when executing the system. You may check the bottom line of the opening screen when loading db-VCR to see if your db-VCR On-Line help system is active. Viewing an entry ---------------- If you wish to view one of your entries choose the View option. db-VCR will prompt you for the title of the entry you wish to view. If you don't remember the exact title then go to the List entries option and you will see a listing of all the entries you presently have in your database. DON'T worry about keying in the entry title with the EXACT upper/lowercase letters. db-VCR is smart enough to find your entry provided the title is keyed in with the correct name. The view option will allow you to display or just look at the information for your entry (no editing allowed). If after choosing the View option, you decide you do not wish to view an entry...just press the Enter key without keying in an entry name and you will be returned to the Main Menu. Adding an entry ----------------- If you wish to add entries to your db-VCR database then choose this option. You will be asked to enter specific data relating to the title, description, etc. for that particular entry. When finished db-VCR will prompt you with the question "Is all information correct (Y/N) ?". If N is chosen you will be allowed to edit your information. If Y is chosen then you will be prompted with the question "Add another (Y/N)? ". If you wish to add another entry then choose Y, otherwise a N will return you to the Main Menu. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 9 When inputting data, some fields require you to key in information from the keyboard while other fields such as entry type, tape speed and rating are chosen from a menu. When choosing items from a menu use the same procedure for selecting your option as above in Using db-VCR. NOTE: One field which may be of importance is the tape ID field, you are allowed to input either characters or numbers. To keep the data sorted properly it would be best to either always use numbers or always use alpha-characters, the choice is yours. NOTE: All entries must include atleast a Title, if the title is left blank then the entry will essentially be deleted and will not be included in the database. Editing an entry ---------------- If you wish to edit one of your entries choose the Edit option. db-VCR will prompt you for the title of the entry you wish to edit. The procedure for editing entries is the same as for adding entries. Any changes you make to an entry will be saved in the database. NOTE: EXACT upper / lower case is not required when inputting title of entry to edit. The only requirement is that you spell the entry title the same way as it was entered when added to the system. NOTE: All entries must include atleast a Title, if the title is left blank then the entry will essentially be deleted and will not be included in the database. Deleting an entry ----------------- If you wish to delete one of your entries choose the Delete option. db-VCR will prompt you for the title of the entry you wish to delete. db-VCR will show you the data which is presently available for that entry and prompt you for a confirmation to delete the entry. If you answer with a YES for this prompt then the entry will be removed from the database. If you decide you do not wish to delete this entry then respond with a NO for the prompt or Press the ESC key. Entries will ONLY be deleted if you respond with a YES for the confirmation prompt. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 10 Deleted entries will be permanently removed from the database and cannot be accessed again. Any entries which are deleted must be added again to be accessible. NOTE: EXACT upper / lower case is not required when inputting title of entry to delete. The only requirement is that you spell the entry title the same way as it was entered when added to the system. List entries ------------ If you wish to see a listing of your entries choose the List option. db-VCR will first prompt you for which type of sorting method you would like to use. If you would like the entries listed in alphabetical order by title then choose the Title option or if you would like the entries listed by which tape they are located on then choose the Tape ID option. Choosing is done by using the left/right arrow keys on your keyboard or by pressing the spacebar to highlight the proper choice and then pressing the <ENTER> key. db-VCR will show you a listing of all entries you presently have in your database. Keep in mind the List option only shows part of the information stored about your entry (the screen is only so big). For more complete details about any particular entry choose the VIEW option. The List option is nice for quickly scanning your database to see what entries are available and to find which tape the entries are on and at what speed, etc. If your database contains many entries, db-VCR will list them and pause after each page, continue pressing any key on the keyboard to scroll downward through the List or Press the Q key to Quit the list and return to the Menu. You may also use your mouse to select these choices. Click the left button to advance downward or click the right button to Quit and return to the Main Menu. See the Mouse Support Section for more information. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 11 Print Entries ------------- The Print entries option is very similar to the List entries option, except that all output is sent to your printer. NO printer codes are used in this program so as to enable it to use just about any type of printer. db-VCR has the ability to check and make sure your printer is ready to print and if not it will prompt you to fix the printer and press any key. (you get 2 tries and then are returned to the Main Menu). It is always nice to have this printed list close by your VCR somewhere for handy reference (especially on a rainy day!). NOTE: The only difference between the Print Option and the List Option is that the Print Option will also include the Minutes field for each entry, whereas the List Option does not. Searching Entries ----------------- db-VCR has a powerful search feature built-in to allow you to do quick searches for particular entries, actors, remarks, etc. To use the Search feature select the Search Option and press the Enter key. You will be shown another Menu which will allow you to specify what type of information you wish to search for. Search Field ------------ Title Tape ID Publisher Year Type Rating Actor Actress Remarks Quit Search Select which field you would like to search in and press the Enter key, db-VCR will then ask you key in a String to Search for in this field. Input your search string with as much detail as you wish. db-VCR will then search the entire database and provide you with a listing of all entries containing your search string. The listing will show the Title and Tape ID of the entry and a fragment of the Search String you have specified. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 12 For example: Lets say you would like to search for all entries with actors having a first name of John. 1) Choose the Search Entries Option from Main Menu 2) Choose Actor as the field to Search in 3) Type in John as your search string A full list of all entries containing any actors with first name of John will be listed. NOTE: Some fields will require an exact match for searching while others will not. Experiment a little to see exactly how the Search feature works. If you get stuck, just press the F1 key for complete On-Line Help. Re-Index database ----------------- If you find that db-VCR is not listing your entries in the correct order (sorted by either Title or Tape ID) then try using the Re-Index data option. Using this option can in NO WAY destroy any of your present database entries, it just simply rebuilds your sort (index) files so that entries will be listed correctly in sorted order. (Sometimes, - Believe it or not - computer files get corrupted by various reasons, if this is the case try using the Re-Index option to try and solve the problem). Always exit the db-VCR system by choosing the Quit to Dos Option from the Main Menu. NEVER exit the system by just turning off your computer or using the Ctrl-Alt-Del method. If you do, you risk the chance of corrupting your database. If by some chance you do this by error, the first thing you should do upon running db-VCR again is choose the Re-Index Databases Option. Quit to DOS ----------- To exit the db-VCR system, choose the Quit to DOS option and press the enter key. db-VCR will close all file handles and return you back to the DOS prompt so that you can run other applications. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 13 Information Window ------------------ At the bottom of the screen on the Main Menu you will see a box which contains some information that might be helpful to you in using db-VCR. ----------------------[ 123,456 bytes free ]---------------------- Database: (database in use) Color: (color status) Index files: (index files in use) Sound: (sound status) Tot. entries: (# entries in system) Flicker: (flicker status) Last Update: (last date used) Mouse: (Mouse state) Today's Date: (current system date) Registr. #: (your regist. #) -----------------------------[ F1 Help ]--------------------------- The bytes free information at the top of window is helpful for determining how much disk space is left on the drive containing your db-VCR database. (Caution, the bytes free information does not always work correctly on RAM drives!). The other information in the window should provide you with all the necessary details you need to know regarding your db-VCR database. If you have not yet registered your version of db-VCR then your Registr. # will say UnRegistered. Upon registering your copy you will receive the latest version of db-VCR which does not contain the Shareware screen and has a valid registration #, plus a few other goodies. Mouse Support ------------- An alternative to making Menu choices by keystroke is to use a mouse. Any MicroSoft compatible mouse should work without any problems. The mouse routines provided in db-VCR will only support the use of 2 buttons (left and right) to perform activities. In order to use mouse support .. make sure your mouse driver is loaded before starting db-VCR. At the Opening screen when loading the db-VCR system you will see a message that will display whether or not db-VCR has detected a mouse in your system. The mouse can be used by moving up and down or left and right for Menu selections and clicking the left or right button. When provided an escape sequence, the right button will usually act as the escape key whereas the left button acts as the enter key. For example: db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 14 Press Q to quit or any other key to view more --------------------------------------------- Clicking the left button will act as the key to view more. Clicking the right button will act as the Quit option. Press any key to Continue ------------------------- Clicking the left or right button will act as the enter key. To activate On-Line Help ------------------------ Click the left and right button at the same time. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 15 OTHER FEATURES OF DB-VCR Some of the other features of the db-VCR system which make it a very user friendly system are listed below with a brief description of each. F3 Remember key --------------- When inputting Entry names whether you choose add, edit, view, etc., db-VCR will remember the last entry name you have keyed in and save that entry name to the F3 function key. For example if you choose the Add Entry Option and add an Entry called 'Whitewater Kayaking Championship', you can later view that entry by selecting the View Entry option and then pressing the F3 function key. A great little time saver for those of us who hate to type. Custom Defined Entry Types -------------------------- When Adding or Editing db-VCR entries, one of the fields you are required to input is the Type of entry. I have tried to provide the most generic list of entry types available such as Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi, etc. Upon first using the system you will note that 2 of the Types are User Def 1 and User Def 2. Occasionally you may come across entries which do not fit into any of the TYPES available in the db-VCR system. To combat this you have 2 choices. 1) Select the Other option from the Type menu when asked to choose a Type for the entry. You are then allowed to key in any Type you wish. (Limited to 10 characters and you are not allowed to leave this field blank.) 2) Press the F10 function key from the Type menu when asked to choose a Type for the entry. This will enable you to custom define 2 of the choices to be whatever Type you wish. Once this has been performed, db-VCR will remember the custom configured Types from now on until they are changed again. Your only limitation is that the Type of Entry can only be 10 characters long. You may wish to abbreviate these custom defined Types. db-VCR Video Cassette Database System Documentation Page 16 Error Handling System --------------------- db-VCR has a built-in Error handling system which will report error codes and information if db-VCR runs into problems. If db-VCR reports any errors please feel free to contact me with the Error codes. If you are a registered user, I will inform you on how to fix the problem or send you a new disk...If you are not a registered user...well contact me anyway and we will see what we can do. Upgrading to Higher Versions of db-VCR -------------------------------------- As of this writing the database file (MOVIE.DAT) is pretty much the same in all versions of db-VCR with only a minor change in Version 3.0. If you are presently using the shareware version of db-VCR and have already keyed in 500 entries or so, don't worry.. your database will work just fine with newer versions of db-VCR. Just make sure and copy the files MOVIE.DAT, MOVIE.D1X, MOVIE.D2X to the disk containing the newer version of db-VCR. CONCLUSION As you can see, db-VCR is a powerful system that should handle all your needs for recordings of VCR video tapes. If you decide to continue using db-VCR...PLEASE register it, Not only will you receive a registered version without the shareware screen, you will also be put on my permanent shareware mailing list and will be contacted on future updates. Plus, you will have some input on future versions of the system. After all, if it doesn't do what you as users want it to...well whats the sense in it. Thank you. COPYRIGHT NOTICES db-VCR is copyright Michael R. Guffey AT&T is copyright American Telephone and Telegraph IBM is copyright International Business Machines PC DOS is copyright International Business Machines MicroSoft and MS DOS are copyright MicroSoft Corp.